Reel-holder.



0, B, WBDELL;

REEL HOLDER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9,1909.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

OTTO B. WEDELL, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ELG-IN EYEGLASS REEL C0,, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

REEL-HOLDER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, O'r'ro B. VVEDELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elgin, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reel-Holders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in reel holders more especially designed for use in connection with eye glass chains.

The object of my invention is to provide a spring actuated reel holder, including a spring actuated drum provided with a grooved outside on which a length of chain is wound, and which is so arranged that it may be automatically held when the chain is unwound, and which can be released by a slight pull, so that the chain will then be wound up by the action of the spring actuated drum.

Another object of my invention is to simplify the construction of a reel holder, to lessen the cost thereof, and produce better operating results, assuring a reel holder positive in action and not likely to get out of order.

With these objects in view, my invention consists in the construction and combinations of parts as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing-Figure l is a longitudinal section of my improved reel holder. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof, parts being broken away, and Fig. 3 is an end view thereof.

a represents a case, which is provided in its bottom with a longitudinal slot 6 and a latch notch u. The case a is provided with heads 01 and e and finishing heads 4: and w, although the finishing heads are not strictly necessary and are merely used to improve the appearance of the device. 4; represents a pin secured to the back of the case a for the purpose of securing the device to the clothing of the user. This pin is of the ordinary type of safety pin.

Rigidly mounted in the heads cl and e is a shaft f. This shaft is rigidly secured in these heads so that it cannot revolve, by any suitable means, one means being shown in Fig. 3, and which shows the shaft 7' as pro- Speeification of Letters Patent.

Application filed .Tune 9, 1909.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

Serial No. 501,066.

vided with a straight portion 9, which effectually prevents the rotation of the shaft 7. This shaft is expanded as shown at h, and the central portion is still further expanded, as shown at 2'. On the shaft is revolubly mounted a drum j, provided with a spiral groove 70, the heads of this drum being journaled on the parts it of the shaft f.

m represents a spring, which is coiled about the enlarged portion 2' of the shaft f, and has one end fastened thereto, as shown at n, and the other end fastened to one end of the drum j as shown at 0. This drum is hollow and is mounted on the heads p and g, the latter being recessed on its inside face, as shown in Fig. 1, and projecting over the end of the enlarged portion '5 of the shaft f, so as to prevent the spring m from getting in between said shoulder and the inner face of the head (1. The whole drum structure is revolubly mounted on the shaft f, space being afforded within the drum for the reception of the spring m, so that the drum may revolve freely under the influence of said spring, unless it is latched by means hereinafter described.

1" represents the chain to which the eye glasses (not shown) are attached, the chain 1 being provided with a clip or chain tip 8 on its free end. Any suitable means, however, may be employed to secure the eye glasses to the end of the chain.

One end of the chain 7 is attached to a pin t, secured to one end of the hollow drum and crossing a part of the groove therein, as shown in Fig. l. The chain tip 8- serves not only as means whereby the eye glasses may be fastened to the chain, but also prevents the end of the chain from being drawn up within the drum, as this chain tip is of such a size that it cannot be drawn in through the slot [2 or notch 14.

The operation is as follows :In Fig. 1, the device is represented in the position assumed when the chain is pulled out to its 100 full length and the drum i is locked. To reach this position, the user after unreeling the chain to its full length, or until the eye glasses reach the desired position, gives the chain a. slight downward and sidewise pull 105 and then releases it, whereupon the chain is locked between the projecting part of the drum, which forms a spiral groove, and the edge of the notch 14, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. If the user wishes to have the eye glasses reeled up to the case a, he gives a short downward pull upon the chain, holding it taut, and then gives a slight upward lift. This disengages the chain r from the latch notch u and the user guides the chain until the drum, under the influence of the spring m, has revolved far enough to carry the chain beyond the edge of the latch notch u, whereupon the user releases the chain and the spring revolves the drum, winding the chain in the groove 70 thereof, the lower part of the chain traveling along in the slot 6.

Of course instead of a chain, a cord or other flexible securing means might be used. While I have thus described my invention, I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the exact form shown in the drawing and described in the specification, as many changes could be made without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a reel holder, the combination of a case, a drum closely fitting in said case, a spring adapted to rotate said drum in one direction, and a chain adapted to be wound on said drum, said case bing provided with means to prevent the rotation of said drum by engagement with the chain, the relation of the case and drum being such that, as the chain is wound up by the spring, it is coiled upon the drum in a single layer, substantially as described.

2. In a reel holder, the combination of a notched and slotted case, a revoluble drum centrally mounted therein, a spring inside of said drum for rotating the .same in one direction, and a chain, one end of which is attached to said drum and passing out through said slot, said chain being adapted to travel in said slot as the drum is revolved and to engage with said notch to prevent the rotation of the drum, the relation of the case and drum being such that, as the chain is wound up by the spring, it is coiled upon the drum in a single layer, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.-

OTTO B. WVEDELL.

Witnesses FRANK IV. JOSLYN, ALBERT LEHMAN. 

